Rodrigo set to start first match as Leeds captain as Chelsea visit Elland Road

Leeds striker Rodrigo is poised to start his first game as captain for the club in Sunday’s home Premier League game against Chelsea.

The Spain international took on the skipper’s role in last week’s 2-2 draw at Southampton after Patrick Bamford was withdrawn through injury and went on to score both Leeds’ goals.

Head coach Jesse Marsch said: “He will wear the captain’s armband, he’ll be ready to take penalties, he’ll be a leader on the pitch and he’ll be ready to execute the match-plan and play at the highest level.

“It says a lot about him and how he’s adapted and risen to the challenge in difficult moments, so I’m really happy with him and happy for him.”

Bamford (groin) was handed the armband for Leeds’ first two matches this season in the absence of injured captain Liam Cooper (Achilles) and both players face late fitness tests before Chelsea’s visit to Elland Road.

Rodrigo has come in for criticism from some Leeds fans, who feel he has failed to justify his £26million price tag since becoming the club’s then record signing when he arrived from Valencia in August 2020.

But he has made an impressive start this season, scoring in the opening-day win against Wolves before his brace at Southampton.

“He had an outstanding pre-season, I think he had a goal against Palace, three goals against Cagliari and then the three goals now in the first two matches,” Marsch said.

“It’s a combination of him adapting to the league, to me, to what we’re trying to achieve and then the confidence has grown in him massively.”

Marsch confirmed Leeds’ reported interest in FC Zurich striker Willy Gnonto, but said the Italian teenager would be seen as a “long-term project”.

Leeds missed out on their top striker target, Belgium’s Charles De